Biometric Based Authorization Systems for Electronic Fund Transfers

1. A method comprising the steps of: receiving, with at least one processor, a biometric characteristic of a user; receiving, with the at least one processor, non-biometric identity information of the user; verifying, with the at least one processor, the non-biometric identity information corresponds to the user; comparing, with the at least one processor, at least one biometric characteristic of the user to biometric characteristics associated with a plurality of previously registered persons in a database; comparing, with the at least one processor, non-biometric identity information of the user to non-biometric identity information associated with the plurality of previously registered persons in the database; and registering, with the least one processor, the user by recording the biometric characteristic of the user and the non-biometric identity information of the user in the database based at least in part on: the biometric characteristic of the user being unique because it does not match any individual biometric characteristic of the plurality of previously registered persons in the database; and the non-biometric identity information of the user being unique because it does not match any individual non-biometric identity information of the plurality of previously registered persons in the database.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving a send request from the user, the request including biometric information from the user; and causing transfer of funds based at least on the biometric information from the user corresponding with the biometric characteristic of the user.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the send request further includes an identification of a recipient, and the method further comprises: receiving a receive request from the recipient.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the send request further includes an identification of a recipient, and the method further comprises: storing a list of persons who are authorized to collect funds on behalf of the recipient; receiving, from a person, a request to receive funds associated with the send request; and verifying the person is in the list of persons prior to distributing funds to the requesting recipient.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the send request further includes an identification of a recipient, and the method further comprises: receiving biometric information from the recipient; and causing transfer of funds based at least in part on the biometric information from the recipient corresponding with a known biometric characteristic of the recipient.

6. A system comprising: a host system having one or more processors configured for at least: receiving a biometric characteristic of a user; receiving non-biometric identity information of the user; verifying the non-biometric identity information corresponds to the user; comparing at least one biometric characteristic of the user to biometric characteristics associated with a plurality of previously registered persons in a database; comparing non-biometric identity information of the user to non-biometric identity information associated with the plurality of previously registered persons in the database; and registering the user by recording the biometric characteristic of the user and the non-biometric identity information of the user in the database based at least in part on: the biometric characteristic of the user being unique because it does not match any individual biometric characteristic of the previously registered persons in the database; and the non-biometric identity information of the user being unique because it does not match any individual non-biometric information of the plurality of previously registered persons in the database.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the host system is further configured for at least: receiving a send request from the user, the request including biometric information from the user; and causing transfer of funds based at least on the biometric information from the user corresponding with the biometric characteristic of the user.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the send request further includes an identification of a recipient, and the host system if further configured for at least: receiving a receive request from the recipient.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the send request further includes an identification of a recipient, and the host system if further configured for at least: storing a list of persons who are authorized to collect funds on behalf of the recipient; receiving, from a person, a request to receive funds associated with the send request; and verifying the person is in the list of persons prior to distributing funds to the requesting recipient.

10. The system of claim 7 , wherein the send request further includes an identification of a recipient, and the host system if further configured for at least: receiving biometric information from the recipient; and causing transfer of funds based at least in part on the biometric information from the recipient corresponding with a known biometric characteristic of the recipient.

11. A non-transitory machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon, the instructions executable by one or more processors for at least: receiving a biometric characteristic of a user; receiving non-biometric identity information of the user; verifying the non-biometric identity information corresponds to the user; comparing at least one biometric characteristic of the user to biometric characteristics associated with a plurality of previously registered persons in a database; comparing non-biometric identity information of the user to non-biometric identity information associated with the plurality of previously registered persons in the database; and registering the user by recording the biometric characteristic of the user and the non-biometric identity information of the user in the database based at least in part on: the biometric characteristic of the user being unique because it does not match any individual biometric characteristic of the plurality of previously registered persons in the database; and the non-biometric identity information of the user being unique because it does not match any individual non-biometric identity information of the plurality of previously registered persons in the database.

12. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the instructions are further executable for at least: receiving a send request from the user, the request including biometric information from the user; and causing transfer of funds based at least on the biometric information from the user corresponding with the biometric characteristic of the user.

13. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 12 , wherein the send request further includes an identification of a recipient, and the instructions are further executable for at least: receiving a receive request from the recipient.

14. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 12 , wherein the send request further includes an identification of a recipient, and the instructions are further executable for at least: storing a list of persons who are authorized to collect funds on behalf of the recipient; receiving, from a person, a request to receive funds associated with the send request; and verifying the person is in the list of persons prior to distributing funds to the requesting recipient.